Strong supramolecular binding of Li+@C60 with sulfonated meso-tetraphenylporphyrins and long-lived photoinduced charge separation

A supramolecular binding occurred between lithium ion encapsulated [60]fullerene (Li(+)@C(60)) and sulfonated tetraphenylporphyrins ([MTPPS](4-) M = H(2) and Zn) in a benzonitrile solution. Photoexcitation of Li(+)@C(60)/[MTPPS](4-) results in formation of a long-lived charge-separated state by photoinduced electron transfer.